Regarding warranty service/repair of Sahara® brand ear dryers; Sahara® and Mack's® are completely separate brands and business entities. Sahara® is no longer in business. While we cannot honor Sahara's warranty, if you are interested, we can try to repair or service your Sahara® brand ear dryer. Upon receipt of the unit and diagnosis of the problem, we'll contact you with estimated charges to cover parts and return shipping.

Why should I keep my outer ear canals dry?

Basic biology teaches that all living things need water to grow. Bacteria & fungi can grow in a moist ear canal. By using Mack's® EarDryer to keep your outer ear canals dry, you eliminate the moisture media where germs can grow, thus decreasing the possibility of getting ear infections like swimmer's ear.

Mack's® EarDryer is an ear drying device and that's all it claims to be. We don't claim to prevent swimmer's ear, surfer's ear or any other outer ear infections. However, the EarDryer is designed to treat ear disorders by drying the ear canal. Medical articles that discuss the treatment of swimmer's ear, surfer's ear and outer ear infections emphasize the importance of keeping the outer ear canal dry. We guarantee that by properly using the EarDryer, your ear canals will be dried quickly and effectively.

How long does it take Mack's® EarDryer to dry my ears?

The EarDryer has been designed with an 80 second cycle time that has been shown to be effective in drying most ear canals. When using Mack's® EarDryer you will feel a cooling sensation as the water evaporates from your ear canal. Shortly after you feel the cooling evaporative process end, your ear canal should be dry. For most people, this will occur in about a minute. For persons with larger ear canals due to surgical procedures or other reasons, the process may require an additional drying cycle.

I have noticed that the battery in my ear dryer has been slowly delivering fewer and fewer cycles per charge and I think it may be time to replace it. How can I get a replacement battery?

If the battery life has been decreasing over time, similar to how a cell phone battery goes bad, the battery probably needs to be replaced. If the loss of performance is very abrupt and the unit seems to lack the ability to restore a charge to the battery, and/or the unit will not start while the battery is in place and the unit is plugged in, it is possible the unit may be in need of service. Please contact us for instructions on how to proceed. If you feel the battery needs replacing (this can also be determined by a skilled battery retailer) you can either purchase a replacement battery through us or try your local battery retailer. It is best to take the ear dryer unit, battery and charger with you as some retailers are able to diagnose/confirm the cause of failure for you. Tell them that the specs on the original battery are as follows; Fits Nokia 8210 cell phones Lithium-Ion 3.7V 750mAh/2.77wh

I have misplaced/broken the wall plug/battery charger that came with my ear dryer unit. How can I get a replacement charger?

You can contact us to purchase a replacement or try your local electronics supply store. Remember to take the ear dryer with you so that they can make sure the male plug on the charger matches the female charge port on the ear dryer.
Tell them that the specs on the original charger are as follows; Input AC100-240V Output DC4 2V- 700mA

How often should I use Mack's® EarDryer?

As often as you feel a need to remove water from your ears. People who suffer from outer ear infections and swimmer's ear
are advised to keep their ears dry as much as possible. Those engaged
in water sports may dry their ear canals multiple times per day to
prevent swimmer's ear. Hearing Aid wearers often dry the
sweat and moisture in their ear canals multiple times per day in order
to maintain the best fit.

Why does Mack's® EarDryer have different colored earpieces?

Each Mack's® EarDryer comes with five interchangeable, color-coded earpieces: blue, green, purple, pink and yellow. The different colors were designed so that each family member would have their own color-coded earpiece. This helps promote good hygiene and decreases the chance of spreading infections such as swimmer's ear; similar to brushing your teeth with your own toothbrush.

Why is Mack's® EarDryer better than other devices and methods?

The EarDryer emits warm air that is regulated close to your body
temperature. This is important as your ears are the balance center of
your body. By emitting warm air, the ear canals are dried. By
regulating the temperature so that it reflects your body's temperature,
you are ensured a comfortable and effective drying experience. Other
methods such as a hair dryer or similar blowing device are not custom
made to the sensitive requirements of your ears. Time, temperature, air
flow, and noise levels are not regulated with other devices, which can
render them unsafe. Ear drops, while effective, may be considered less
comfortable. The simplicity combined with the safety and effectiveness
of the EarDryer makes it a truly effective and superior ear drying
device.

How many times can I operate the dryer before I need to recharge the battery?

With a fully charged battery, you will be able to operate the EarDryer
about 50 times before needing to recharge the device. That equates to
about 25 uses before recharging, assuming you dry both ears every time
you use the EarDryer.

What type of battery does it use?

Mack's® EarDryer is equipped with a rechargeable lithium ion battery similar to those found in cell phones. This battery will last for years with regular use. Please recycle the spent battery according to your local recycling guidelines. New batteries can be purchased through us.

How do I know when recharging is complete and if I leave it plugged in overnight, will it hurt the battery?

A full charge of a completely dead battery will require 5 hours of recharging. However, in just two hours you can charge the battery to about 85% of a full charge, which will enable you to use the EarDryer for over 40 cycles. Because the battery is lithium ion, it does not have "memory" and can therefore be charged for varying lengths of time without damage.

Is Mack's® EarDryer sanitary to use?

Yes. The only portion of the EarDryer that comes in contact with your ear is the removable earpiece. Because you can remove the earpiece it is very easy to clean after each use using warm soap and water or rubbing alcohol. In addition, your EarDryer comes equipped with 5 different color earpieces so that each member of your family can use their own earpiece. Warning: If you are experiencing pain in your ears and you use Mack's® EarDryer, be sure to thoroughly clean the earpiece with hot, soapy water and rubbing alcohol before using it in your other ear. This will reduce the potential of infecting your healthy ear by using an unclean earpiece in your non-infected ear.

Is Mack's® EarDryer safe to use?

Yes. Mack's® EarDryer was designed by a medical doctor that specializes in treatment of the ear, known in the medical field as an Otolaryngologist or ENT. In addition, the American Academy of Otolaryngology website suggests using a hair dryer to dry your ears. Certainly, if the Academy endorses the use of a hair dryer that is clearly not designed to dry the ear, that operates at much too high a temperature, blows at much too high a velocity, and can generate harmful noise levels in excess of 100 decibels, you can rest assured that the EarDryer is safe. Designed to precisely regulate the time, temperature, noise level and airflow through a custom designed, soft rubber exhausting tip, you can feel safe using Mack's® EarDryer.

Can young children use Mack's® EarDryer safely?

Yes, however children under 5-years of age should be supervised by an adult. Similar to teaching a young child to use a toothbrush, the key concerns with small children are: 1) Making sure they don't apply unnecessary pressure and hurt themselves. 2) Making sure they use it long enough to actually dry the ear. 3) Making sure they don't damage the device by dropping it or getting it wet.

If I have surfer's ear or an ear infection, like swimmer's ear, can I use Mack's® EarDryer?

You should first consult your physician any time you are having
problems with your ears. Once you have done that, you can safely use
the EarDryer to keep your ear canals dry by limiting the contact with
the ear. With outer ear infections like swimmer's ear your ears will
likely be sensitive. The lack of contact with the ear may require an
additional drying cycle to completely dry the ears. Also, be sure to
change and/or wash the earpiece with hot, soapy water and rubbing
alcohol before using it in your other ear. This will reduce the
potential of infecting your healthy ear by using an unclean earpiece in
your non-infected ear.

Is the EarDryer safe for use on individuals with tubes in their ears?

Yes, Mack's® EarDryer is safe to use when middle ear ventilation tubes are in place because the EarDryer introduces only warm dry air into the ear canal. The EarDryer does not however dry the tubes themselves or any water that may have been introduced into the tubes. It only dries the outer ear canal itself.

Is Mack's® EarDryer safe for individuals who have perforated eardrums or mastoid bowls?

Yes, the EarDryer introduces only warm dry air into the middle ear or
mastoid bowl, and it is the retained moisture that can cause problems
for these individuals. However, the drying process may take more than
one cycle to completely dry the ear canal.

Are there any side effects from using Mack's® EarDryer?

For most people there are no side effects. However, a very small number of people who have extremely sensitive ear canals and certain diseases of the inner ear may experience a brief episode of dizziness when using the EarDryer. All of these occur in individuals who have some sort of underlying and/or pre-existing disease: The most common is ACTIVE Menier's Disease (quiescent Menier's is very rarely effected) where the person is already dizzy, patients with perilymphatic fistulas, followed by patients who have had a surgical procedures where the labyrinth has been exposed to a greater degree than normal: canal up or down mastoidectomy, transmastoid endolymphatic shunt, and transmastoid removal of an acoustic neuroma. It is also possible, though highly unlikely, that dizziness from other metabolic diseases could be exacerbated. If you experience this dizziness, cease using the EarDryer immediately and please report the incident to our customer service department at (586) 427 7560.

Will Mack's® EarDryer clean the wax out of my ears?

Mack's® EarDryer is not a cleaning device in any way. Its sole function is to remove trapped water from swimmers' ears, surfers' ears and moisture from the ear canal after showers, hearing aid use, exercise or any other activity that results in ear moisture.

Can I return Mack's® EarDryer if I don't like it?

Yes. We offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If for ANY reason you do not like or want Mack's® EarDryer, just return everything in its original condition and packaging, along with your receipt to the place of purchase.

How long will Mack's® EarDryer last?

Mack's® EarDryer was designed to last for years with proper use and handling. Our manufacturer's warranty is good for 1 year, but Mack's® EarDryer will easily outlast the warranty with normal use.

Do I need more than one Mack's® EarDryer for each member of the family?

Unlike other devices on the market, Mack's® EarDryer is equipped with interchangeable earpieces. Each unit comes complete with 5 earpieces. As a result you only NEED one EarDryer unit to service the entire family, making it the most convenient and cost effective method available. However, many swimmers, hearing aid users, and boat enthusiasts find it useful to have one at home and one in their place of recreation such as in their gym bag, on their boat, near the pool, etc.

What are the earpieces made of and do they contain latex?

The earpieces are made of silicone and do not contain any latex.

Is Mack's® EarDryer covered by medical insurance?

No. We're sorry, but there is no insurance coverage for Mack's® EarDryer at this time. If this changes, we'll update this answer promptly.

Have any clinical studies been done which verify the health benefits of using Mack's® EarDryer?

Yes. For information on this study, read the following:
New Non-medical Treatment for Chronic Mastoid Bowl, Ear Canal, and Middle Ear Disease with Tympanic Membrane Disease.
For thousands of years Physicians and Surgeons have struggled with acute and chronic ear disease. In the not so distant past an episode of simple otitis media could have been life threatening. We have also observed from archeological digs that ancient Egyptians recognized chronic ear and mastoid disease and treated it by performing a type of mastoidectomy. Modern antibiotics have reduced the seriousness of these diseases, but the problem of chronic middle ear and mastoid disease persists in virtually every Otologist and Otolaryngologist's practice. The problem lies not in our technology, surgical procedures, or medications, but in the fact that the ear canal and mastoid cavity are relatively deep recess in the skull that are difficult to keep clean and dry. As a result these ears are a rich environment for the growth of bacteria and fungi.
The author envisioned a device to keep these chronic ears dry so that the skin of these canals and cavities could re-epithealize and form normal skin appendages. This was based on the observation that successfully treated chronic ears and cavities did exactly this, and remained disease and relatively maintenance free for years after treatment. The Mack's Ear Dryer ear canal drying device was designed, patented, and produced.
A study was designed to assess whether the ear canal or mastoid cavity was effectively dried by the device and the efficacy of the treatment in clearing chronic disease. The absence of adverse reactions and the ease and comfort of use of the device were also evaluated. Eleven patients with chronic middle ear with tympanic membrane perforation or mastoid cavity disease where selected based on the fact that their disease had persisted for one to ten years despite repeated medical and/or surgical treatment. Four other patients where selected who wore hearing aids and experience recurrent external otitis as a result of moisture accumulation in the ear canal. Each of these patients was given a device and instructed to use it twice daily, and as needed for moisture in the ear. Each was then examined monthly for six months. Additionally, two devices were used in a general Otolaryngology practice to dry ears after irrigations to remove cerumen and prior to application of powdered antibiotics when the ears were moist from infection. No patient was lost to follow-up.
The results of the study were as follows:
• All patients with chronic middle ear disease with TM perforation or mastoid cavity disease experienced resolution of both the moisture and purulent drainage within three months. After returning the devices at six months, all eleven patients' ears/cavities remained free of disease for a seven month period of follow up.
• All patients who wore hearing aids noted no further difficulty wearing the aids resulting from moisture or infections, and were able to wear the aids by using the device immediately after showering and swimming.
• The devices used in our clinic reduced the incidence of external otitis after ear canal irrigation from one to two cases monthly to two cases over a thirteen month period.
• There were no adverse reactions to using the device such as injury to the ear canal or TM, caloric responses, electrical injuries, or exacerbation of cerumen impactions.
• No patient or technician experienced difficulty in using the device, even in the arthritic hands of two elderly patients.
Although this study involved a small number of patients and spanned only a thirteen month period, the results suggest that chronic middle ear disease with tympanic membrane perforation, chronic mastoid bowl disease, and troublesome ear canal disease can be effectively treated by the use of this inexpensive, easy to use, ear canal drying device. Further investigation is clearly warranted.
Dr. Hamilton P. Collins II is a board certified Otolaryngologist, Head and Neck Surgeon and Facial Plastic Surgeon with twenty one years of experience in solo private practice in Hemet, California.

How does Mack's® EarDryer dry my ear canals?

The patented Mack's® EarDryer has a customized computer chip which directs the heater and fan to blow a regulated flow of warm air into the ear canal. The color-coded earpiece channels the warm air into your outer ear canal. Each earpiece is specially designed to exhaust the airflow from the ear canal along with the evaporating moisture. In most cases all the moisture trapped in your ear will evaporate in about a minute, leaving your outer ear canal dry and safe.